2026:HHC:34091 IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CMPMO No.  : 440 of 2025 Decided on    :   12.08.2026 Kedaru & Others …Petitioners Versus Ashok & Others …Respondents Coram The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Virender Singh, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the petitioner       :  Mr. Surender Saklani & Mr. Virender Chauhan, Advocates. For the respondents   : None. Virender Singh, Judge (Oral) Petitioners, have filed the present petition, under Article   227   of   the   Constitution  of   India,   against   the   order dated   30.05.2026,   passed   by   learned   Civil   Judge,   Shillai, District Sirmaur (hereinafter referred to as the ‘trial Court’), in   Civil   Suit   No.36   of   2019,   titled   as   ‘Gyaru   Ram   versus Kedaru & Others’. 2. Vide   order   dated   30.05.2026,   the   learned   trial Court has closed the evidence of the defendants (petitioners herein). 1 Whether Reporters of local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? Yes. 2 2026:HHC:34091 3. Parties to the  lis, are hereinafter referred to, in the same manner,  in which, they were referred to, by the learned trial Court. 4. Brief   facts,   leading   to   the   filing   of   the   present petition   before   this   Court,   as   borne   out   from   the   record, annexed with the petition, may be summed up as under:­ 5. Plaintiff   Gyaru   Ram   has   filed   a   suit   for declaration that he is the only son of late Gullu and Dhajju and after the death of Dhajju, he has inherited all the right, title and interest, in the estate of Dhajju comprised in Khata Khatauni   No.64/156   to   172   kita   59,   total   measuring   60­19 bigha  of  mauza  Shankholi,  Tehsil  Shillai, District Sirmaur (hereinafter   referred   to   as   the   suit   land),   on   the   basis   of inheritance/succession of his father Dhajju. 6. When put to notice, defendants have contested the suit, by denying the stand, as taken by the plaintiff, by filing the written statement. Thereafter, issues were framed and matter was listed for PWs. 7. After closure of the evidence of the plaintiff, when, the   lis   was   listed   for   DWs,   on   17.10.2025,   the   application 3 2026:HHC:34091 preferred by the defendants, for examining Lumberdar, was not pressed, on that day, and the case was ordered to be listed on 18.10.2025. 8. Thereafter, when, the matter was listed for DWs, on 18.10.2025, on that day, on account of death of plaintiff Gyaru Ram, an application, under Order 22 Rules 9 and 3 CPC, has been filed. Thereafter, the lis remained pending for adjudication of the said application. However, on 25.04.2026, the   said   application   has   been   allowed   and   thereafter,   the matter was listed for 30.05.2026, for DWs with a direction to take the steps for summoning the witnesses. 9. On 30.05.2026, following order has been passed by the learned trial Court :­ “ No DW present as steps not taken. Perusal of the file shows that already several opportunities have been granted to the defendant for examining DW’s but the defendant has failed to do so. In the interest of justice and to avoid further delay in the matter, I deem it appropriate to close the DW’s. Accordingly DW’s are closed by the order of Court. Let   case   be   no   listed   for   arguments   on 20.06.2026.” 10. Aggrieved from the said order, the present petition has been filed. 4 2026:HHC:34091 11. Considering   the   submissions   made   by   learned counsel for the petitioners­defendants that only one witness is to   be   examined,   this   Court   is   of   the   view   that   one   more opportunity to lead their entire evidence, is required to be given to the petitioners­defendants, so that the matter could be   decided,   on   merits   and   not   on   the   basis   of   default committed by the parties. Even otherwise, the other party can be compensated in terms of cost. 12. Consequently, the present petition is allowed and the   order   dated   30.05.2026   is   set   aside,   by   granting   one opportunity   to   the   defendants­petitioners   to   examine   their entire witnesses, at their own responsibility, subject to cost of Rs.2,000/­, to be paid to the respondents­plaintiffs. 13. Parties   to   the  lis,  through   their   counsel,   are directed   to   appear   before   the   learned   trial   Court,   on  21st August, 2026.   On that day, the petitioners will tender cost and thereafter, they will produce the entire evidence on a date to be fixed by the learned trial Court. 5 2026:HHC:34091 14. It is made clear that no assistance, for summoning the witnesses, shall be given to the petitioners, and in case, they fail to produce the entire evidence, on a date to be fixed by the learned trial Court, no further opportunity shall be afforded to them to lead evidence. 15. With these observations, the petition is disposed of.  Pending   miscellaneous   application(s),   if   any,   shall   also stand disposed of. ( Virender Singh ) August 12, 2026( ps ) Judge